Long Distance Business Travel and Mode Choice: The Results of Two Surveys of Business Travellers.

Abstract

This report contains a descriptive analysis of two UK samples of lomg distance business travellers. Each sample answered the same mailback quesitonnaire which asked for detailed information about a recent long distance business trip and a limited amount of socio-economic data from each respondent. In particular; questions were asked about reasons for choice of the main travel mode and the alternative modes available to the respondent. In both samples it was found that the main factors influencing mode choices were journeytime and a convenient start time; with the ability to work en route being a significant factor for rail travellers. Company travel policies did not appear to have a significant influence on mode choice; although the set of permitted alternative modes was dependent on the respondents' income and occupation